I have always had a special interest in natural history – plants, animals and their landscapes – both artistically and scientifically. I grew up in Oxford where I took an Honours degree in Natural Science (Zoology). It was not very useful in terms of earning a living, but the knowledge has been a continuing source of fascination and insight into the non-human world and a source of inspiration for my painting.
I later spent some years in the Solomon Islands. At that time it really was paradise: Exquisitely beautiful with unspoiled rainforested mountains; magnificent coral reefs; fascinating bird life; traditional villages; friendly (and apparently happy) people. I drew and painted passionately, importing all my materials from overseas; and I exhibited regularly. I met my husband Mike there. We returned to the UK and ended up in the bleak Shetland Islands before escaping to Australia.
Mike, myself and our two ex-RSPCA dogs now live in Humpty Doo, a rural area south-east of Darwin. Our ‘block’ is a strip of open woodland running down into a seasonal paperbark wetland. It does not match the Solomons for sheer beauty but I have learned to appreciate it because I understand the north Australian bush better. It changes dramatically with the cycle of the tropical monsoon climate. If I look, there is always something different and remarkable going on; something that almost demands me to paint it … a flower which will only last a couple of hours; translucent new leaves; the pattern of grass stems; the changing contours of erosion gullies; the flow of floodwater.
Bu hikaye Artists Palette dergisinin No 169 sayısından alınmıştır.
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Bu hikaye Artists Palette dergisinin No 169 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Eye of Observation
Draw, draw, and draw some more; develop your artist’s eye of observation. Sterling advice from a lady who believes that seeing shapes in paintings requires a truly ‘arty’ eye.
Pelicans To Portraits
This lady has painted everything from pelicans to portraits. She has completed commissions including cats, dogs, horses, possums, numerous beach scenes … and even a Scottish piper.
Gregory John Brennan: Lost Profession
Looking back on his early career as a bulldozer driver, this rural New South Wales painter laments the days when he was too young to appreciate his outstanding potential as an artist.
Pastels: Once We Were Important
A simplified and well named painting tells a powerful and interesting story. This clever pastel artist is delighted to share her techniques for the benefit of others.
Fibre Art
This artist feels that the hardest lesson she had to learn was to believe in herself … and once she did that, everything started to fall into place and her confidence grew.
Water Lily Magic
Instead of paper and paint, this artist uses fabric and threads … and she uses a sewing machine instead of a brush. The textures, colours and prints of fabrics thrown together with threads fascinate her, and often give inspiration for her designs.
Loading Wheat – 1920s
It is rare to see an artist displaying this level of skill and understanding in capturing the activity and atmosphere of bygone days from Australia’s agricultural history.
‘Jama' – King Cheetah
This exquisitely talented lady believes that every artist has failures … but it is important to remember that every success is better than the one before.
Blahuta's Ute
Early in the year we ran a feature about ‘Utes in the Paddock’ – a landmark project by several notable artists. In this article, one of those artists shares his story and some of his views … and describes the process of creating his own piece of an amazing collaborative work.
Artists' Easels
Many important tools are employed by artists in creating their paintings. Artists’ easels are now available in a host of styles and configurations to enhance the creative process. Some of your favourite art materials suppliers are more than pleased to highlight a selection of the many products being offered.
